If you are reading this article with blurred vision, chances are you've already embraced the Spring Fling spirits.
And, not surprisingly, you're not alone.
About 1,750 guest passes were sold this year - a bit of a drop from last year's sale of 1,800.
But a range of changes to this year's Fling promises just as good of a time.
These changes include an increased number of performers, totalling 47 scheduled to entertain in the Quadrangle.
One new event is a dance party in the Baby Quad, which will feature a DJ today and tomorrow from 2 to 5 p.m.
Also for the first time, student groups such as the Undergraduate Assembly will put on performances during down time inside the Quad.
Social Planning and Events Committee Spring Fling co-director Lindsay Motlin said that a few more security guards were hired to patrol the two-day carnival, and that SPEC is using a different company - CSC: Security - for the event security since Penn's athletic department "highly recommended" it.
These officers will work along side Allied-Barton security guards, University Police and student safety groups like Fling Safe.
As SPEC officials prepare to see the end results of the plans they've been making since last May, excitement on campus is palpable.
"It's my first Fling, and I'm going to make the most of it," said Wharton freshman Jason Rodriguez, who is looking forward to the Saturday night carnival on College Green and the various parties that fraternities will be hosting.
"I'm pretty excited about seeing all the different groups perform," said College freshman Bob Goldman, adding that rain will not stop him from partaking in the festivities.
And enthusiasm has spread even beyond campus.
College sophomore Zach Schapira is spending a semester in Washington but will be returning to Penn for the weekend to "fling it up."
Schapira said he was especially looking forward to tonight's Ben Folds and Third Eye Blind concert.
"We've got two bands for the price of one," Schapira said. "Clearly it's going to be twice as good as last year's" concert.
SPEC officials, too, have high expectations for the 34-year-old tradition.
"It's going to be a great year," said SPEC Spring Fling co-director Anna Raper.
